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Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter XIII — NOISE CONTROL

§ 13-280. Exterior noise standards.

Costa Mesa Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Costa Mesa

  • (a) The following noise standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated, shall apply to all residential property within the city:
RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR NOISE STANDARDS
Noise Level Time Period
55 dB(A) 7:00 a.m.—11:00 p.m.
50 dB(A) 11:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m.

In the event the alleged offensive noise consists entirely of impact noise, simple tone noise, speech, music, or any combination thereof, each of the above noise levels shall be reduced by five dB(A).

  • (b) It is unlawful for any person at any location within the city to create any noise, or to allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by such person, when the foregoing causes the noise level, when measured on any other residential property, either within or outside the city, to exceed:

    • (1) The noise standard for a cumulative period of more than 30 minutes in any hour;

    • (2) The noise standard plus five dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes in any hour; (3) The noise standard plus 10 dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than five minutes in any hour;

    • (4) The noise standard plus 15 dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour; or

    • (5) The noise standard plus 20 dB(A) for any period of time.

  • (c) In the event the ambient noise level exceeds any of the first four noise limit categories above, the cumulative period applicable to said category shall be increased to reflect said ambient noise level. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the fifth noise limit category, the maximum allowable noise level under said category shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient noise level.

  • (d) The exterior noise standards shown in subsection (a) shall not apply to the following exterior areas of multi-family residential development or live/work units located within a mixed-use overlay district where the base zoning district is nonresidential, approved pursuant to a master plan, and subject to the land use regulations of an urban plan:

    • (1) Private balconies or patios regardless of size;

    • (2) Private or community roof decks/roof terraces;

    • (3) Internal courtyards and landscaped walkways that do not include resident-serving, active recreational uses such as community pool, spa, tennis courts, barbeque, and picnic areas.

  • (e) In high-rise residential developments in the North Costa Mesa Specific Plan, the exterior noise standards shown in subsection (a) shall only apply to the common outdoor recreational amenity areas located on the ground level. Recreational amenity areas located above the ground level and private balconies and patios shall be exempt from this standard.

  • (Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 06-9, § 1k., 4-18-06; Ord. No. 07-2, § 1m., 2-6-07)

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▸ Contents — Costa Mesa Zoning Code
Costa Mesa Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development
    Overview
    1. Chapter I — IN GENERAL
    2. Chapter II — ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED
    3. Chapter III — PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    4. Chapter IV — CITYWIDE LAND USE MATRIX
    5. Chapter V — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    6. Chapter VII — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
    7. Chapter VIII — SIGNS
    8. Chapter IX — SPECIAL LAND USE REGULATIONS
    9. Chapter X — NONCONFORMING USES, DEVELOPMENTS AND LOTS
    10. Chapter XI — SUBDIVISIONS
    11. Chapter XII — SPECIAL FEE ASSESSMENTS
    12. ▸ Chapter XIII — NOISE CONTROL
      Overview
      1. § 13-277. Purpose.
      2. § 13-278. Definitions.
      3. § 13-279. Exceptions for construction.
      4. § 13-280. Exterior noise standards.
      5. § 13-281. Interior noise standards.
      6. § 13-282. Noise near schools, hospitals, churches.
      7. § 13-283. Loud, unnecessary noise.
      8. § 13-284. Noise level measurement.
      9. § 13-285. Variance procedure.
      10. § 13-286. Violations.
      11. § 13-287. Nuisance declared.
    13. Chapter XIV — OIL DRILLING
    14. Chapter XV — GROUP HOMES
    15. Chapter XVII — AFFORDABLE HOUSING ORDINANCE

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